Twenty years after Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen created the bioscience research center that bears his name, Seattle’s Allen Institute is still pushing out into new frontiers. But this weekend, the nonprofit institute — and its hometown — are taking a little time to celebrate.
All this week, the Allen Institute has been highlighting Open Science Week, which touches upon one of the core values that Allen had in mind when he launched the institute with a $100 million donation on Sept. 16, 2003. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and King County Executive Dow Constantine are giving the festivities an extra boost by issuing proclamations designating Saturday as “Open Science Day” in the Emerald City and its environs.
Speaking of emeralds, a gaggle of Seattle landmarks will be lit up in emerald green this weekend in honor of the institute’s 20th anniversary. The list includes the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, Two Union Square, the Great Wheel, the Pacific Science Center, the Seattle Convention Center, Rainier Square — and of course, the Allen Institute’s seven-story headquarters on South Lake Union.